Wire connection cover



y 9, 1967 w. E. ALLISON 3,318,475

WIRE CONNECTION COVER Filed June 29, 1964 United States Patent 3,318,475 WIRE CONNECTION COVER William E. Allison, 2109 Burlington St., Ottawa, Ill. 61350 Filed June 29, 1964, Ser. No. 379,047 3 Claims. (Cl. 220-334) This invention relates in general to a cover or protective device for the wire connections on a gear shifting mechanism for the two-speed axles of trucks.

Heavy trucks normally are equipped with two-speed axles and the differential of the vehicle has mounted thereon a gear shifting motor or mechanism which is controlled electrically by the driver of the vehicle in the truck cab. This type of construction is well known and is shown in many prior art patents, such as, for example, the Russell Patent No. 2,462,779 issued February 22, 1949.

The housing of the gear shifting mechanism has a plurality of electrical terminals on the outside thereof to which electrical wires are connected from the gear shift handle inside of the truck cab. Within the housing of the gear shifting mechanism an electrical connection is made between these terminals and the mot-or which operates to shift gears, and this is actuated by a button or switch within the truck cab and operated by the driver.

Heretofore and up to the present time, the connections between the electrical wires and the terminals on the housing of the gear shifting mechanism have been exposed to the weather and to the action of chemicals, such as salt, chloride and water, so that such connections will deteriorate and eventually break oif or become inoperative. When this occurs it is impossible for the driver of the vehicle to shift gears. If it occurs while the gears are in a neutral position, then the vehicle will not operate at all. If it should occur during a period when the vehicle is moving in low gear, then it would be impossible to shift the gears into a high gear ratio or back to neutral.

This is quite obviously an undesirable situation and it is, therefore, one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide a device which will protect the connections between the wires and terminals from the action of weather and chemicals.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wire connection cover particularly adapted for mounting on the housing of a remote controlled vehicle gear shifting mechanism, thereby enclosing and providing a protective covering for the connections between the electrical wires and terminals thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wire connection cover adapted for use in protecting the connection between electrical wires and terminals on the housing of a remote controlled vehicle gear shifting mechanism wherein such housing has a flanged neck thereon for mounting on a vehicle differential and wherein the cover is so constructed as to form, with said neck, a protection for the wire connections against the action of weather, chemicals, and the like.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which: I

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical housing of a remote controlled vehicle gear shifting mechanism which has applied thereto the wire connection cover of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view in perspective of the vafious parts of the cover, and

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the parts of the cover in assembled relation.

Patented May 9, 1967 ice Referring now more particularly to the drawing, and especially to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a housing generally indicated by the numeral 1 which is typical of those currently in use which house the gear shifting mechanism for a vehicle and which is mounted on the differential. This housing is provided with an outwardly extending neck 2 which terminates in an annular flange 3. The neck is hollow and is adapted to accommodate well known mechanism which is connected to .a vehicle differential for shifting the gears therein.

The flange 3 is provided with a plurality of openings 4 through which suitable bolts may pass for securing the housing to the vehicle differential.

The gear shifting mechanism situated within the housing 1 is operated by a remote control device connected electrically to terminals on the housing. Normally there is provided a cable 5 having electrical wires 6 extending therethrough which are connected to the terminals 7. Normally these terminals are on the outside of the housing and to the present time the terminals and the wires connected thereto are subject to corrosion and deterioration, not only due to weather conditions, but also dirt and chemicals from the highway.

As stated hereinabove, the present invention is directed particularly to means for protecting the wire connections to the terminals against deterioration by action of chemicals, dirt and weather.

The wire connection cover of the present invention includes a first leg 8, a second leg 9, and a third leg 10. The first leg 8 has a flange extending from one edge thereof, such flange being generally indicated in the drawing by the numeral 11.

The flange, as shown, consists of a relatively narrow portion and a relatively wide portion. The narrow portion 12 is adapted to abut against a side of the neck 2 immediately adjacent the flange 3. Since the housing 1 is made of cast metal, the neck 2 customarily is provided with webs (not shown), and the flange 12 may be provided with recesses 13 and 14 adapted to receive the webs as aforesaid, so that the edge of the flange portion 12 may fit snugly against one side of the neck.

The wider portion 15 of the flange 1 1 has an edge 16 thereof which is adapted to contact another side of the neck. The second leg 9, as illustrated herein, is formed as an integral part of the first leg 8, although it will be evident that these two leg portions could be formed separately and then secured together as desired.

The leg 9 extends along a second side of the neck 2 and forms a continuation of the edge 16, as shown more clearly in FIG. 2. The leg 9 is preferably of such width as to extend from the main body portion of the housing 1 to the flange 3 along one side of the neck 2. Since the housing is cast, the edges of the leg 9 may preferably be designed to conform to the contour of those parts of the casting with which it is in contact, thereby to provide a relatively snug fit between the leg and the neck.

A box-like enclosure is formed at one end of the first leg 8 in order to completely enclose the terminals. One side of this box-like enclosure is formed by the leg 8 itself at one end thereof. A second side is formed by the relatively wide portion 15 of the flange 11. A third side is indicated by the numeral 15a which extends between the wide part 15 and the end of the second leg 9. A fourth side 15b connects the end of the first leg 8 with the side 15a and with the wide part 15 of flange 11, thereby forming an end closure.

The third leg 10 is illustrated as being provided at one end thereof with a flange 17 which terminates in a return flange 18 substantially parallel with the main portion of the leg and in spaced relation thereto, thereby to provide a recess 19. The adjacent end of the first leg 8 has an outwardly extending flange 20 adapted to be received in the recess 19, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, whereupon an interlock is formed between the first and third legs to lock them together.

The third leg 10 is also adapted to extend along one side of the neck 2 opposite from the side against which the second leg 9 extends. These legs 9 and 10 extend from the first leg 8 in the same general direction and are substantially parallel, although not necessarily exactly so. Again, the leg 10 is designed to fit snugly between the flange 3 and the main body portion of the housing at the point where it joins the neck 2. The edges thereof are contoured to conform to the configuration of the housing where the two members contact each other so as to form a relatively snug fit therebetween.

An opening or recess 21 is provided in the leg 10 adapted to receive the cable 5 which extends to the terminals 7 which, in turn, are adapted to be covered by the first leg 8 and the flange 11 thereon.

Any suitable means may be provided for securing the wire connection cover consisting of the three legs 8, 9 and 10 in place on the housing 1 so as to provide a protective covering over the terminals 7 and the wires 6 connected thereto. For example, the legs 9 and 10 may be provided with openings 22 and 23 through which a bolt 24 may pass which is threaded at one end thereof to receive the nut 25. When the two legs 9 and 10 are thus secured together, and the leg 10 is locked to the leg 8, the resulting combination forms a protective covering and prevents deterioration of the connection between the wires 6 and the terminals 7.

The cover of the invention is designed to fit in sufficiently close relationship to the housing and neck so as to enable a sealing compound to be applied in any spaces therebetween.

The invention provides assurance that the gear shifting mechanism within the housing will function properly at all times as far as the electrical connections are concerned. As long as these connections are secure, the vehicle driver is assured that electrical current will always flow to the gear shifting mechanism every time he presses the switch at the remote control station within the truck cab. Thus, one source of concern to truck operators is eliminated by the present invention and that is the concern for time wasted in making repairs or re placing the electrical connections and the expense of service calls in connection therewith.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of parts from those disclosed herein without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the attendant advantages thereof, provided, however, that such changes fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

being relatively narrow throughout the remainder of its length, said first leg and flange being adapted to form a protective covering about the terminals,

(b) a second leg extending outwardly from adjacent one end of said first leg and spaced intermediate the ends of said first leg and adapted to pass along a second side of the said neck,

(c) a third leg extending outwardly from adjacent the other end of said first leg and adapted to pass along a third side of the said neck,

(d) an opening through one of said legs to permit the electrical wires to be received within said protective covering for connection to the terminals,

(e) and means for releasably connecting said legs together when the cover is on the housing, thereby locking the assembled cover in position for protecting the electrical wire connections from deterioration from chemicals, weather, and the like,

(f) a side member connecting one end of said second leg with the relatively wide part of said flange, and

(g) An end member connecting together said first leg, said side member, and the relatively wide part of said flange, thereby forming a box-like enclosure at one end of said first leg.

2. The combination of elements as defined in claim 1, wherein said first leg is connected to said third leg by an interlocking connection.

3. The combination of elements as defined in claim 1, wherein said second and third legs are substantially paral- 40 lel, and the connecting means therebetween comprises a bolt extending between the outer free ends thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 920,649 5/1909 Radley 220-3.94 X 1,860,833 5/1932 Clayton 220-394 X 2,218,371 10/1940 Zachar 220-3.2 2,384,781 9/!1945 Rockwell et a1. -75 X 2,431,300 11/1947 Quinn 74606 2,462,779 2/ 1949 Russell. 2,658,960 11/1953 Pearsall 2203.2 X 2,947,200 8/ 1960 Stump.

A. HARRY LEVY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A WIRE CONNECTION COVER ADAPTED FOR USE IN PROTECTING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN ELECTRICAL WIRES AND TERMINALS ON THE HOUSING OF A REMOTE CONTROLLED VEHICLE GEAR SHIFTING MECHANISM HAVING A FLANGED NECK THEREON FOR MOUNTING ON A VEHICLE DIFFERENTIAL, SAID COVER COMPRISING (A) A FIRST ELONGATED LEG HAVING A FLANGE EXTENDING FROM ONE OF THE LONGITUDINAL EDGES THEREOF ADAPTED TO ABUT A SIDE OF THE NECK ON THE HOUSING, SAID FLANGE BEING RELATIVELY WIDE ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF AND BEING RELATIVELY NARROW THROUGHOUT THE REMAINDER OF ITS LENGTH, SAID FIRST LEG AND FLANGE BEING ADAPTED TO FORM A PROTECTIVE COVERING ABOUT THE TERMINALS, (B) A SECOND LEG EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM ADJACENT ONE END OF SAID FIRST LEG AND SPACED INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OF SAID FIRST LEG AND ADAPTED TO PASS ALONG A SECOND SIDE OF THE SAID NECK, (C) A THIRD LEG EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM ADJACENT THE OTHER END OF SAID FIRST LEG AND ADAPTED TO PASS ALONG A THIRD SIDE OF THE SAID NECK, (D) AN OPENING THROUGH ONE OF SAID LEGS TO PERMIT THE ELECTRICAL WIRES TO BE RECEIVED WITHIN SAID PROTECTIVE COVERING FOR CONNECTION TO THE TERMINALS, (E) AND MEANS FOR RELEASABLY CONNECTING SAID LEGS TOGETHER WHEN THE COVER IS ON THE HOUSING, THEREBY LOCKING THE ASSEMBLED COVER IN POSITION FOR PROTECTING THE ELECTRICAL WIRE CONNECTIONS FROM DETERIORATION FROM CHEMICALS, WEATHER, AND THE LIKE, (F) A SIDE MEMBER CONNECTING ONE END OF SAID SECOND LEG WITH THE RELATIVELY WIDE PART OF SAID FLANGE, AND (G) AN END MEMBER CONNECTING TOGETHER SAID FIRST LEG, SAID SIDE MEMBER, AND THE RELATIVELY WIDE PART OF SAID FLANGE, THEREBY FORMING A BOX-LIKE ENCLOSURE AT ONE END OF SAID FIRST LEG. 